National Climatic Data Center, 15 May 2003

April brought much needed above average precipitation to central, southwest, and south-central Idaho in the 125-175% of average range, but did little to help the drought-plagued Bear River basin. Bear River basin April precipitation was only half of average and has only received above average precipitation three months since October 2001.

Reservoir storage varied across the state with above average storage in western and northern Idaho and nearly empty reservoirs across southern Idaho.

Additional information on conditions in Idaho is available from the USDA/NRCS at:

http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/bor/200305/idf5s01.htm

Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne issued formal drought emergencies for 7 eastern Idaho counties April 29, confirming predictions of water management workers across the state that low winter snowpacks promised a dry summer this year (Capital Press Agriculture Newspaper).